Watchman s electric time-recording system



name SrA'rEs Aren't @rrrca GEORGE \V. DAVIS, OF FREEPORT, MAINE.

WATCHMANS ELECTRIC TIME-RECGRDENG SY$TEM- SPECIFXCA'IION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 29%,3'71, dated March 4, 1884.

Application filed December 17, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Davis, of Freeport, in the county ofCumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain Improvements inW'atchmens Electric Time-Recording Systems,of which the following is aspecification. 1

This invention relates to systems of electric circuits and apparatusarranged for the purpose of furnishing a guard upon the proceedings ofwatchmen, whereby a record is made of their visits to the several postsof their beat, and whereby any dereliction or neglect of theirperiodical visitations is made manifest.

The special objects-of my invention are as follows: to provide apparatuswhereby the sending of the signal from any given post automatically setsthe mechanism at the next post, so that the posts must be visited in theorder before determined; to so arrange circuits and apparatus thatelectric signals cannot be sent to the reeorderby any other method thanthe one described; to give an alarm at any predestined pointin case anyof the alarmboxcs at the several posts are tampered with; to providesuitable instrumentalities whereby an alarm may in like manner bemanually sent in any unusual contingency; and to prevent any watchmanfrom using the same box twice in succession. To this end, although myinvention is of course applicable for use at single stations, it isspecially adapted to places where there are a number of points to bevisited, as in buildings of factories containing many separate rooms, oras in the beat of a policeman, where as many watch-boxes may be operatedas are found desirable. Prior to my invention systems of electriccircuits and apparatus have been used "for a like general purpose-i. 0.,to keep a check upon the movements of watchmen by making it obligatoryupon them to make at different points such manipulations as to produce arecord at a desired point and I will briefly refer thereto as anacknowledgement of the state of the art at thepresent time. In onearrangement patent ed by E. T. Quimby, January 4, 1881, numbered 236,257, a clock-work transmitting-instrument is used, so constructed thatwhen the signal is sent in from the proper station, the clock-work isreleased and sends a record to the distant recorder, after which ,itswitches the battery onto the next regular station, and the clockworkcannot then be again released, except by going to the proper station; Asecond method is to use a separate clock-work at each signaltransmittingpoint, such clock-train being adapted to send to the recording-clock aseries of numbeis differing from any of the others. It is evident thatthe clock-work required in boththese systems is an objectionablefeature,

for several reasons. Besides the complication inherent therein,it mustbekeptin order, must be regularly wound, and must be entirely se curedfrom the watchman. In the former plan,

moreover, if any of the stations is remote, the watchman can send afalse signal simply by connecting for a moment the two wires of the loopleading to the station, or, in the event of an earth return, bygrounding the signal-wire leading thereto. In the second method it isalso obvious thatif the watchman can once obtain access to the inside ofthe watch-box he can ascertain the numbers sent from each box, and canthere send in the regular order of signals from any single point bymaking and breaking the circuit to correspond with the proper number.

By my invention I am enabled to dispense with the complicatedtransmitter shown and described in the 'hereinbeforecited patent of E;T. Quimby, and to use signal-sending apparatus of a very simpleconstruction, and adapted, also, to work in combination with arecording-clock of like simple and uncomplicated character, the recordalso being simple and easily read.

It consists, generally, in a recording-station at which a clock rotatescontinuously a disk carrying a suitably-graduated ribbon or tape ofpaper, an electromagnet, the armature of which carries a stylus, beingplaced adj aeent thereto, so that the said stylus is adapted, upon theencrgization of the said magnet, to strike the paper and emboss marksthereon, and a series of signal-stations, each provided withcircuit-closing devices, and a circuit-wire connecting all of the signalor alarm stations with the recording-stations.

The apparatus which constitutes the prin-.

cipal embodiment of my invention provides that the line-circuit shall begrounded in the inst-rument'at but one station at once, and that whenthat instrument is manipulated to send a signal the said manipulationshall in turn ground the line at the next instrument, and so on untilthe operation of the last instrument once more causes the replacement ofthe ground-terminal of the first. An energizingbattery common to theseries is provided, and enters each watch-box by a normally-open branch.The electricity generated thereby serves the purpose of sending signalsto the recording-clock, and also causes the device to become operative.It furthermore, under certain conditions, causes a special device (whichI have shown in connection with a modified apparatus, but which may beequally well applied to the foregoing) to become operative when anyattempt is made to tamper with the watch-box, and thereupon to send analarm to the desired station.

In the drawings which illustrate and form a part of this specification,Figure l is a diagrammatical representation of a system of signalsending and recording apparatus connected by suitable circuits. Fig. 2is a modified plan for a watch-box instrument adapted to be opera-ted bya push-button instead of a key. Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 1, bymeans of which, in addition to the regular recordingsignals,reversecurrent signals may be trans mitted for the purpose of soundingan alarm. Fig. 3 is a detail of Fig. 3, showing the circuit-closingsprings of the alarm-circuit. Fig. A: is an improved form of theapparatus used in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a key for operating theinstruments and sending the signals.

Referring first to Fig. 1., 0 represents a clock at therecording-station, provided with and rotating a wheel or drum, Z, whichhas a suitable recording strip or ribbon, preferably of paper, fastenedthereon and graduated for time. in immediate proximity to the said drum,as shown, is an electro-magnet, j, in the circuit of a line leading tothe watch-boxes, and the armatin'e-lever i of the electro-magnet carriesan embossing point or stylus, 76, which, when actuated by the attractivepower of the magnet, is adapted to imprint marks upon the paper ribbonor tape, and as the drum is constantly rotated at a steady rate of speedthe marks are necessarily made at a dis tance apart from one another,the said distance depending upon the length of time elapsing between thetransmission of signals. The clock 0 is connected by a linewire, L, withthe posts or watch-boxes 1, 2, and 3, and although I have shown butthree stations, it is obvious'that any number may easily be arrangedfor. The instruments Nos. 1 and 2 are represented as having their coversremoved to show the mechanism, while No. 3 shows the mechanism coveredby a suitable box fastened by ascrew, p, and perforated withahey-hole,a, through which may be seen the key-post 0. Such signalboxes may belocated at as many different points about the premises as may bedesired. The internal mechanism of each box is as shown in the lignres.

On a suitable base, A, is placed an electromagnet, in, provided with anarmature-lever, 13, pivoted on a standard, a, and cornlterbalanced by anadjustable weight, B. All the instruments but one of the series havetheir armatures normally retracted by the weight B; but in every casethe instrument from which the signal is next to be sent-in this case No.1the armature is in the forward position, being retained there by thedetent u, the same being controlled by the spring I). A screw, 8, limitsthe backward play of the an mature. Fastened to the armature,butinsulated therefrom by a non-conducting block, b, is acontact-spring, O, which projects forward and is adapted to makecontact, when the armature is in its forward position, with the contact-point], which is united to the ground wire 6.

In front of the detent a is a standard, (.1, which, in conjunction withits complementary standard on the other side of the base, (not shownsupports a shaft, ending in a key post, c, and carrying the arm (Z an dthe ratchetwheel 1). A pawl, supported by a standard or bracket, h,engages with the teeth of of the ratchet-wheel, and prevents itsbackward movement, consequently preventing, also, any backward motion ofthe shalt and arm (1'.

All of the instruments of the series are constructed precisely alike,and I will now trace the connections of the several circuits. Theline-wire L from the recording-clock branches on arriving at thebuilding where the watchboxes are, a branch wire, 3, running to eachbox, where it is connected with the arnniturespring 0. Abattery, E, isconnected by wire and branch wires 2 and 2", &c., to the standards 0 ofthe several instruments. The contactscrcw f is connected with aground-wire. A wire, 5, runs from the detent c of box 1 to one side ofthe electro-magnetm of box 2, the other side of the said magnet beingconnected by the wire 7 to earth. Similarly, a wire, 5, runs from thedetent a of box 2 to the magnet of box 8, which has its out-wireconnected to earth by a wire, 7". In turn, the detent c of box 3 isunited by wire 5" to the electromagnet of the next box, which, in thepresent instance, is box 1, there being but three boxes shown, theout-wire of said magnet being grounded by wire 7.

\Vhenever Ihave in t-hel'oregoingdescription and in the drawings usedthe term groundwire, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that areturn-wire to the opposite pole of the battery might be substituted.

Having fully described the instruments used in this form of my inventionand the several circuits connected therewith, I will now describe theirmanner of operation. \Ve will suppose that the order in which they areto be operated is l 2 8,1 2, &c. Commencing at box 1, the watchmaninserts the key (shown in ITO when 3 Fig. 5) through the key-hole in thecasing of box, (which is merely to prevent tampering with themechanism,) and turning to the right makes a complete revolution, thenwithdraws key, and goes on to box 2. This operation of course revolvesthe key-post e, carrying arm (I, and brings the said arm (1 into contactwith the spring 0, lifting it at the same time from its contact with thepoint f, and thus separating the line from the ground or return wire 6.As arm (I is permanently connected with thebattery E by wire 2, thebattery is, by the contact between the said arm and the spring 0,connected for a moment with the main line L, over which it flows,energizing the recording electro-magnet j, and producing the requiredrecord upon the paper carried by the drum or roller Z. If, now, at thispoint the key'could be turned back and withdrawinthe next record and anynumber could easily be sent from the same box; but the ratchet-wheel Dand pawl 9 prevent this; hence to withdraw the key the watchman mustcontinue to turn in the same direction until the key is in position tobe withdrawn. hen the arm din its revolution has completed one-half ofits course, it comes into contact with the catch or detent, pressing itback and releasing the armature B, which springs up against the backstops, the spring G thus being separated from the groundc-ontact f untilthe armature is again attracted. Simultaneously the circuit of thebattery E is again closed, but this time through the electro-magnet m ofthe second watch-box m'a wire 2, standard 0 and arm d, detent a, wire 5,electro-magnet m, and groundwire 7 The electro-magnet on of box 2 beingthus energized attracts its armature B, and the spring 0, attachedthereto, is brought into contact with the ground-screw f. This beingaccomplished, the watchman, arriving at box 2, turns the key there, andthe entire process is repeated, box 3 being in turn set thereby, and soon until the last box is reached, this being adapted to reset thearmature of box No. 1.

The object of the device for raising the armature of each apparatus asit is manipulated, and for severing the line-ground thereof, is to putitout of the power of the watchman to continue sending signals from thesame box, for in case such attempt should be made the arm (Z could notcome in contact with the spring 0, and therefore no current could besent to line. Furthermore, if any attempt should be made to send thesecond signal to the recording-clock by connecting a wire from thebattery-wire direct to line, there would not be sufficient current passto the recording station, as a branch circuit from the line to thesecond watch-box short-circuits the battery through a route having aresistance so Fig. 2 is a modified form of watch-box apparatus, by whichthe sending-key may be dispensed with, a press-button, q, beingsubstituted therefor. The spindle of the button (1 passes through thestandard h, which supports the ground-contact f, on which the spring 0of the armature B rests when the box is set. The button-spindle has avertical arm, 1', which engages with the spring when the button ispushed in, performing the same work as in the other plan. Continuinginward, the spindle trips the detent a, allowing the armature to rise.The spindle has a ratchet on its upper edge, and a pawl, g, engagestherewith, preventing the retraction of the button until the completionof the operation. WVhen, however, the armature is tripped, anextensionbar, 12 lifts the pawl, permitting the automaticretraction ofthe button by means of the retracting-spring s. The circuit-connectionsare in no way different from those shown in Fig. 1.

Although I prefer the specific apparatus for electrically settingthenext box and the mode of manipulating the same which I havehereinbefore deseribed, I do not confine myself thereto, but may, if Iso elect, employ an ordinary press-button circuit-closer, to be used inconjunction with the signal-sending key or butt-on.

Fig. 3 shows a modified watch-box and recording system, which includes adevice for the prevention of tampering with the boxes. This modificationis intended to be operated with reverse currents and a polarized relay.The watches-boxes 1 and 2 are, as before, connected by a main wire,L,with the recording instrument at the main station S. I have notregarded it as necessary here to show the clock,

since the drum will operate in the same manner already described. Themechanism of the switch-boxes differs from those shown in Fig. 1 only inone or two particulars. The line ground-wires fare dispensed with, toavoidcomplication, and an alarm device is combined with each box,whereby any person attempting to remove the cover of the box sends analarm to an appointed place. To achieve this result, I provide an amountof battery, half of which is sufficient to operate therecordingmagneuand by splitting this and running a ground or return wirefrom the center of the battery, and introducing mechanism, ashereinafter deseribed, I am enabled to send currents of either directionto line to effect definite and differing results. The ordinarywatch-signals are sent, as in Fig. 1, the line-wire L being connected bybranch wires 3 withthe armature-springs O of the several boxes, whilethe transmitting-arms d of w contact-spring, I, which, by means of thewire 11,1's permanently united with the line L. By the pressure thusn'iaintained the said spring tis kept away from the block a ofconducting material, this block a being by wire 12 connccted with thereverse side of the battery. A press-button circuit-closer, .r, also isconnected between the branch line-wire 11 and the battery-wire 12. Ifthe watchman attempts to tamper with the box and turns the screw p,thespring i, no longer withheld from the block a, is brought in contacttherewith, and closes the circuit from the battery to line, and sendscurrents of reverse direction to those sent by the .regular signal. Allof the screws holding the box in place may be so connected, and, ifpreferred, the cover maybe constructed of two metallic linings insulatedfrom one another-one connected with line and the other with battery sothat an attempt to evade the screws by a violent entrance may also bedctected. The pressbutton m is for giving an alarm manually in case anemergency arises for which help is required. The recordingnnag notadapted to operate in combination with the clock-rotated disk, insteadof being in the main circuit, is included in the circuit of alecalbattery, F, which circuit is controlled by means of a polarized relay,T. One pole of the local battery I is united with the pivoted armatureof the polarized relay,and the other pole, by wire 1, with one side ofthe electromagnet J. The other side of the electro-magnet is connectedwith the contact-point in of the polarized relay by wire 2. The samepole of the local battery F also connects by wire 4t with theeleetro-magnetj of an electro-magnetic alarm-bell, R, the leading-outwire of the said bell-magnet being connected by wire 3 to the remainingcontact-pointw of the polarized relay. Thus "when the regularwatch-signals are sent the armature of the relay is at tracted to theleft, and closes the local circuit through the recording-magnet; butifthe box is tampered with or the press-button operated, reverse currentsare sent to line, the relay-armature is oppositely attracted, and closesthe circuit through the alarm-bell magnet, energizing the same andactuating the alarm.

Instead of a polarized relay, it may be convenient in some cases toprovidctwo separate electro-magnets, and a double line-wire be tween thewatclrboxes and the recording-station, and in that-case a smallerbattery may be employed, and the local battery and circuit dispensedwith altogether. I may also place the alarmbellat any distance from therecording-clock, since it is not essential to the spirit of my inventionthat these instrtunentalities should be near together.

Inasmuch as I have, to avoid complication, omitted the terminal groundsf, I show also in Fig. 4 a non-interlering device, which may besubstituted for the ground attachment, and which shows one form of analarmcircuit closer, by which the watchman attempting to send theregular signal from the same box twice is prevented from doing so, andin place thereof transmits an alarm. This instrument is provided with aloclcingbar, pivoted to a lever, 9 which in turn is pivoted to an arbor,y. The lockingbar is operated by a link, .2 from the end of thearmature, and when the station is not the proper one from which therecord must be sent, the armature remains up and brings theJOcking-barin the path of the stud .2, so that it cannot be turned. The arm (1 isnot in the same vertical plane, and hence is permitted to pass round asfar as its normal position. If the attempt is made to turn the key, thespring '6 is brought against the screw a, closing the alarm-circui tthrough the wires 11 and 12.

Although I have referred to the recorder as embossing a record by meansof a point or stylus, it is evident that I may, without dc parting fromthe spirit of my invention, use an ink-writer, or a record produced bythe decomposition of a chemical compound on the passage of an electricalcurrent.

I claim.-

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, in anelectric signaling system for watchmen, of a main-line circuit extendingoutward to a reeording-instrument, and inwardly terl'ninating in aseries of branch circuits, one of which is normally grounded, aground-wire for each branch circuit, a battery and normally-openbattery-wire, means, as indicated, for sending the signal by conne'ctingthe battery to the mainline circuit, and simultaneously severing theline from the normal ground, and other means,whereby the act of sendingthe signal grounds the line through another of the said branch circuits,for the purposes described.

2. An electric signaling system for watchmen, consisting of arecording-station and a recording-instrument located thcrcat, two ormore signaling-stations, a signaling-instrrr ment at eachsignalingstation, provided with devices for setting the succeedinginstrultnent, a connectingdine circuit extending between the saidrecording and signaling stations, and having a separate branch to eachsignalinginstrument, a normally-open battery-circuit branching to eachsignaling instrument, and a normally-open controlling-circuit extendingfrom each signaling-instrunlent to the electro magnet of the next inorder, and adapted to be closed by the act of sending the signal,whereby the next instrument to be operated may be automatically set inoperative post tion, substantially as hereinbefore described.

3. In a system of electric signaling for watch men, the method ofpreventing false signals from being sent to line, which consists incausing the act ofsending the legitimate signal from any givensignaling-instrument to ground or short-circuit the mainline at the nextstation, substantially as described.

at. A signalinginstrument adapted to form one of a series in an electricsystem for record ing the movements of watchmen, consisting of 1 sementhe following instrumentalities: an arbor carrying a revolving arm, andadapted to be man ually rotated in sending a signal, the said arborbeing connected with a battery, a ratchet-wheel fixed-upon and adaptedto be rotated with the arbor, and a pawl engaging therewith to preventretrograde movement; a ground-terminal; an electro-magnet in a localcircuit normally open at a point external to the instrument, an armatureand detent therefor, and a contact-spring in electric connection with amainline circuit, supported by but insulated from the said armature, andadapted, when the armature is in its forward position, to rest 011 thesaid ground-terminal in the path of the revolving arm, and anormally-open circuit-wire connected with the armature-detent andleading to the electro-magnet of the succeeding instrument, all incombination and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination, ina signaling-instrument for an electric watch-boxsystem, of a main line, a battery-line, a ground-wire, a normallyopenlocal circuit leading to another instrument, and means, as indicated,for disconnecting the line from its ground-wire and connecting itmomentarily with the batterywire, and for connecting the saidbattery-wire immediately thereafter to the normally-open branch circuit,whereby the signal is sent and the succeeding instrument set, for thepurposes specified.

6. A series of watchmens signaling-instruments, adapted, whenmanipulated, to send electric signals to arecording-instrument, each ofthe series being connected with a line branch, a ground-wire, a batterybranch, and a normally-open circuit leading to the next instrument, andprovided with an electro-magnet,

adapted, when energized, to ground the main line, and each provided withdevices for manual operation, so arranged that the act of sending thesignal successively breaks the mainline ground from its own instrument,sends the signal to line, and closes the circuit of the succeedingelectro-magnet, whereby the next instrument is put into operativeposition.

7. The combination, in an instrument for use in a system of electricsignaling for watchmen, of a signaling instrument, an inclosingcasetherefor, and circuit-closers attached thereto, and amain battery havingits ground or'return wire connected as hereinbefore described, wherebythe proper manipulation of the signal-instruments causes currents ofdefinite direction to flow to line and work the recorder, and whereby anattempted removal of.

the case causes reversed currents to flow to line for the purpose ofsounding an alarm, substantially as specified.

S. The combination, in a system of electric signaling apparatus forwatchmen, of a recording system consisting of a polarized relay and alocal recorder and alarm-bell adapted to be actuated thereby, a seriesof signaling-stations to be visited in turn by the watchman, a mainbattery, a signaling-instrument of the character described at eachstation, and connections whereby when the regular signal is transmittedcurrents of definite direction aresent to line, operating the recorder,and if the signalbox is tampered with currents of opposite direction aresent, operating the alarm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 14th day of December, A. D.1883.

GEORGE XV. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

ARDON "W. OooMns, I. H. FARNHAM,

